They are Really Wonderful!

No devil-in-law or horrific stories involving a visit from the in-laws here!

My Mom- and Dad-in-law are simply amazing!  

They come to visit because Mom-in-law was flying out of our airport early in the morning.  They walked in the door Saturday to the howling and jumping puppies who are always excited to see their 'grandparents'!  Dad-in-law comes in with these...

Some just because flowers!  They are beautiful on our 'coffee table' and they gave Husband a just because iTune gift card that I think he's already spent on workout/study music!

So what did we treat them to on their short visit after they gave us these amazingly thoughtful gifts?  We took them to the gym for a 1.5 hour workout.  {I know we're a ton of fun aren't we!}  I did cook a great dinner when we got home and we watched The Incredibles because it was just starting.  

By the time the movie was over everyone was tired and we headed off to bed so that we could get up early to stop for breakfast and get Mom-in-law off to catch her flight!  

Then Husband and I went to the gym again and came home so that I could bake a birthday cake for one of his small group proctors {the whole group are a bunch of suck up! haha}. 

In all, it was a great weekend!  It was just one night to short!

How was your weekend?  I hope you're all staying warm and not being frozen by this last winter blast that's moving across the country!

I posted a sneak peak picture of Nephew Calendula here, but the family is so excited to see the rest of them {and a few live so far away 'Hi Aunt J!'} that I suppose one more teeny tiny peak wouldn't hurt...  

Image by: Jennifer

Here is Nephew Calendula in Big Brother's arms!  All 21 lbs of the little 6 month old cutie!  

I promise I'll let you know when they are all posted on my photo site.  Its taking me forever to get them finished!  I guess that's what happens when your working 50 hrs/week and brushing up on electron and x-ray microscopy in your free time!  

This new lab that I'm working in for the next month or two is doing some interesting science, but its a steep learning curve when you've never run these experiments before!  I'm really enjoying it though and hopefully it will help me get hired on full time!

Even with all that exciting stuff going on at work, I am so happy its almost the weekend!  The in-laws are coming down for dinner and staying the night to drop Mom-in-law off at the airport for her spring break trip to see Aunt J!  {She's a luck duck!}  

And we're discussing the new island cabinets we're having a relative build for our kitchen!  I'm so excited for them to get started!  {I promise I'll have before and after pictures!}

And of course there will be basketball {which means study breaks for Husband!} all weekend!  My brackets are already screwed up {thank you very much Duke and Memphis} so I only have 2 of my final four left.  

How are your brackets looking after the games last night?  What are the big plans for the weekend?  

An Image for Today - Thursday...On The Bus

On the green bus Couture

Image by: Red Leaf Studios

I just found Red Leaf Studios and love their images!  The use of bold color and lighting is spectacular.  I really love the blend of fashion with vintage and distressed surroundings!  They also have a few different perspectives.

Isn't the green color of this bus beautiful?   The outfit that the model has on is wonderful too!  I just have to click on the picture to go over and look at the rest of the images from this shoot! 

Enjoy...

Lemons for Spring

Its late in the week for a weekend recap, I know!  This new lab is busy busy and I have been working a lot of hours so far this week!  So here it goes anyways...

Last weekend Husband and I had plans with his new friends at school.  These new friends are very out of character for Husband as is evident by our plans with them... 

Friday night we met at one of the lady's houses and had a few snacks, watched a little March Madness, and played some Rock Band.  Sounds ordinary, right?  Until you take into account the amount of time these people spend studying together, making them very comfortable around each other, the amount of alcohol they had consumed {Husband and I don't drink, but we can still have fun}, and most importantly...the entire group was a bunch of nerdy medical students and spouses.  Yes I will admit that Husband and I are nerds!  We study, love science and medicine, and think jokes on those topics are hilarious!

Review of the night - It is amazing and humbling to see medical students slightly intoxicated.  For starters they are hilarious and making jokes about their current lack of ALDH enzyme {biochemistry = alcohol digestion}.  But then they get serious and start talking about why they want to be a doctor and help people, without their usual inhibitions.  Doctors really do care about their patients.  

For our little get together I brought lemon cupcakes because everyone likes cupcakes!

For lemon cupcake {from I Heart CuppyCakes with a few changes by me}
1/2 cup {1 stick} unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1-1/2 cups AP flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla
1 lemon zested
1 lemons worth of juice

Saturday night - We went to the med school's Night at the Arts {aka med school talent show}!  This is very out of character for Husband.  He usually hates going to things like this, but it was his idea!  So why the change?  His new friends were all in the show.  There was a fashion show {kind of}, Indian dancers, rocking bands, and classical groups along with some pieces of art.  Everything is done by the students and did a very good job!  The violinist and cellist were amazing!  

The rest of the weekend we were boring and loved it!  I hope you all had a great weekend and are having a fantastic week!  And just because I think you deserve it, here's a pretty picture...

{Image by: LeoPatrone Photography}

An Image for Today - Friday

A gorgeous spring field

Image by: James Christianson

I don't have a lot to say today. So I will leave you for the weekend with this picture of a beautiful field on this first {chilly} day of spring...

Have a great weekend!

The Big Match

While Husband was celebrating yesterday as what he has coined christmas-basketball eve {he is way to excited about the tournament this year} our 4th year med friends and and other 4th year medical students across the nation were anxiously waiting and some {frantically doing the dreadful scramble} completely freaking out.  Today is MATCH DAY.  

Good Luck!  I'm praying that you all get good matches!

For those of you not in the medical world, Match Day is the culmination of medical school.  The day that you find out if you really do get to be a surgeon, if you have to pack up and move across the country, if you even get to actually practice medicine or if its was all for naught.

This is a big deal!  

For those of you in the Greek life its kind of like sorority recruitment.  You're sitting there on bid day, after you have judged and ranked every possibility, and waiting to see who really wants you.  They give you an envelope and you wait until noon when everyone {all med 4th years across the nation} will open their envelope together.  And there are the few who got the call earlier that they.weren't.picked.by.anyone!  {They have spent the last 3 days in the 'scramble' trying to find somewhere...anywhere}

We still have 2 years before our big match.

I am already stressed about it!

I already have contingency plans laid out, all based on what-ifs.  I am a planner.  I have to have a form of a plan at least in the works.  I have to know now what I might do if in 2 years the gods of the match tell me that Husband must go here and we have 2 months to sell our house and find a new place to live in a place that I have most likely never been.  Believe me there must be a plan. 

But this is the life of a wife of a medical student and I will make my plans for every possibility so that we are ready for anything.  

One of my really good friends is facing all of this today.  Her husband will find out if they have to move, if he will be somewhere else for that one transitional year or more, if they will buy the house that they have an offer on, if she will have to leave her job.  She was at the med student wives book club last night and I was impressed by how calm she was.  

Its all in Gods hands now...I'm praying and crossing my fingers, along with all the other superstitious things, that the match goes well!

{Image by: Sabinch via flickr}

UPDATE: My friend's husband didn't get the perfect match, but what he did get was awesome!  And it doesn't really change their plans.  I think Match Day went well :)

An Image for Today - Wednesday

Are you kidding me with that color?

Image by: Kelly Moore Photography

I have been in love with the color purple for the last few months!  When I can across Kelly Moore's blog with this fabulous purple chair I was in love with the chair and the photography!  

What is your current color crush?

In other news, I had a great workout last night!  I haven't been having very good workouts and its been driving me crazy!  I thought this beautiful weather that we are having would be great for me to venture out of the climate and air filtered gym. 

The puppies and I got ready and headed out.  Now the puppies are Siberian huskies - they're supposed to be runners and pullers right?  Well Little One is definitely the lead dog and all about 'working' while on a run.  However, Fluffy {being the prissy little prince that he is...} didn't feel like 'working'.  I dragged him around the neighborhood for 30 minutes while Little One was dragging me {she doesn't really pull, but she does just keep going}.  I marked this run down as a not so good workout!

Last night I stayed in the gym and was puppies free and it felt great!  Maybe it was just a good workout or maybe it was the energy drink I downed before I left the house...You know it was a good one when you're already sore when you try to get out of the car after the drive home :)

I sad that I can't follow it up with another great one tonight, but I doubt after working 11 hours and going to book club tonight that I will be up for it!  

I hope you all can get a good run in for me!

An Image for Today - Tuesday

The touch of an Angel...

Image by: Jennifer

This is just one of the many pictures I got to take this weekend of Nephew Calendula and his baptism!

Nephew Calendula is just the most perfect little boy.  He didn't cry once during the baptism and let me take all of the pictures that we had time for.  I will share more pictures  when I get them all processed, but I just couldn't wait to share this one!

We had a lot of fun visiting with my in-laws who I absolutely love.  The only hiccup to a perfect weekend is when Big Sister thought she should share her opinion on when Husband and I should have a kid.  {Has any one ever done this to you?}

Excuse me, but it is NEVER ok to start a conversation with 'I think you two should start having kids now...'.  I understand asking politely when we may be thinking about it and having a conversation about the topic, but seriously.  We are not waiting for children because 'life is to hectic'.  When have our reasons and they are good ones {not that it matters or is any of your business}.  

We have been discussing having children since before you were even a part of our family, so you can get off your high horse about how wonderful it is!  And if you do read this Big Sister be warned...If you bring it up again the verbal filter will come off and the 'inside voices' will switch to outside and we all know what happens when Husband actually speaks what he's thinking!

Ok my little rant is over, but it has seriously been bothering me and its not the first time she's done it!

On a lighter note, I did get to wear my beautiful dress from Ann Taylor and was only a little chilly.  Here it is...

Its not the best picture, but I had to share the dress with all of you!  

Have a great Tuesday!

Oh I'll Just Pack Everything

I am so happy that its Friday!  We have an exciting weekend planned with family coming up.  We are going to Big Brother's for Nephew Calendula's baptism!  Almost all of Husband's family will be there and all of Big Sister's family too!  {Which always makes for a 'interesting' time...} 

We're going up early to spend some time with them because we never get to see them enough.  Big Sister and I might go shopping tonight and I want to head over to the church to check things out.  I'm going to be taking the pictures!  

I just wish that Mother Nature would make up her mind so that I could plan what to pack.  This is the dress I picked up while shopping with Mom-in-law that want to wear.  I love it {minus the ugly flower pinned on it} and have the perfect yellow sweater to keep myself warmer!

But I might wear this one with some black boots if its cold on Sunday.

{Both from Ann Taylor Loft}

An I can't wait to see Mom-in-law it the outfit that I helped her pick out.  She looks amazing in it!  She going to be looking like one hot grandmamma!

Have a great weekend everyone!  I hope its warm and sunny for you!

Was That Really a Game

The game last night was so much fun!  If you can really call it a game.  IU got blown out by Penn St. The score didn't even reflect how badly Penn St. out played them.  Oh well, it was still fun and we only paid $20 for the evening!  And Husband got to see the Michigan game earlier in the day.  {Husband loooves Michigan i.e. his office is painted in Michigan blue and maze and filled with all of the Michigan things people buy him...lamp, dart board, trash can.}  

Oh yeah, we had great seats! haha

I am really good at taking pictures of the two of us {I have a ton of pictures like this with Husband barely in them} :)

An Image for Today - Thursday Hooray for Thursday!

They are Mammoth Men...

Image by: The Mammoth Men Posted by Nate Kaiser 

Have you seen these guys?  They are hilarious!  If you haven't stumbled upon their blog before head over there now and check out not only their great photography, but their hilarious personalities!  

I have a fun night planned for tonight!  Headed to a great basketball game!  Husband really pulled through with his eBay shopping.  :)  I'll post some pictures from the game tomorrow!  Have a great evening everyone!

An Image for Today - Wednesday

A walk through the Park...

Image by: Tracy 

Tracy is a new photographer that I stumbled upon recently.  I hope you enjoy her straight forward images that she capture of life just as much as I do!  

I have some great news!  I twittered about my meeting with the boss people on Monday and it went really well!  I am starting to work in another lab soon!  They have a backlog of experiments that need done because of some international travel issues and medical leaves and asked if I could help out.  

Heck yeah I'll help out!  Its a great chance to meet other scientists, show off my skills and do some really interesting science!  So wish me luck while I knock the socks off of these new people with my amazing lab skills!  I'll let you all know how it goes after I start there in a few days!

Have a great night everyone!

You Asked - I Answered

As promised...you have asked your questions {well at least a couple of you!} and here are the answers! 

From Sara of Unwrap Life... If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?  {Random fact about Sara - She can wiggle her ears!}

First of all, I thought that you all might know a little fact about Husband along these lines...Husband can wiggle his ears too!  He can even wiggle each ear individually and then he throws in the wiggle of his hair line.  Its hilarious and disturbing at the same time.  Can you tell he was bored a lot when he was little?  {Thank you ADHD!} - Now onto the question.  If I could do anything int he world it would be a job that combines my love for science with my love for art!  Whenever we would take those questionnaires at school to figure out what we were meant to be when we grew up {do you know the ones I'm talking about?} mine were always split completely down the middle!  I think those tests were pretty accurate though...If I don't have a balance of the two in my life I start the feel unbalanced, either I feel overwhelmingly obsessive compulsive or sloppy and aloof.  If you know of any jobs out there that evenly combine both I'm all ears!

From Whiteny of That Girl and Her Pug... How did you meet your hubby?  {Random fact about Whiteny - she's a walking contradiction}

Great question Whitney and its a great story!  Husband and I are high school sweethearts and did not go to the same school.  It all started because I didn't want to take gym class during the school year.  {It interfered with my art class schedule and I couldn't have that!}  The school I went to didn't offer summer classes so I had o pick one of the other schools in the area, which brought me to he early morning summer gym class at Husband's school.  Husband was required chose to take the class to condition for basketball season.  I would come from my 5 mile cross country practices to this 'class'.  {I was lookin' smokin' hot!  haha}  He made his move on the rowing machines and asked if I wanted to meet him at the first football game of the year between our two schools.  We spent the rest of the class working out together and even shared a few beautiful moments puking together during Ike Ball.  {Ike Ball = take your friend the free weight, hold it above your head and run down the football field and back} Yeah it was love at first site!  haha

Thanks for the great questions you two!  It was fun answering them and learning a little about you!  I will leave you with a couple of pictures of me and Husband!

Engagement image via Albright Creative Imagery

Wedding image via Albright Creative Imagery

An Image for Today - Monday

All wound up...

Image by: Aru Latheef via flickr

I must apologize, but I will put up the answers to the questions hopefully later tonight along with a few other things.  I am super busy today and got some great news at work today!  

Welcome back to my 100th Post Week! Don't forget you ask your questions by midnight Friday!

The play of light...

Image by: bobbi + mike

Light can turn any subject into a eye dazzling work of art.  Sunlight streaming in a window can warm the body and the heart.  I love when that one beam of light comes through the leaves, the window, or the clouds! Check out a few of my previous posts about light.

Here are a few gems...

Image by: bobbi + mike

Image by: bobbi + mikes - This image shows the wonderful Bobbi in action!

Image by: Millie Hollman Photography 

Image by: Mthree Studio

Image by: [b]ecker

Image by: Elaine Vallet

Only a couple of more hours and my weekend starts!  This weekend is even better than normal...Husband is finally done with all of his tests this week {5 different tests!} and his spring break starts!  We're not doing anything special, but it will be a nice 'break' from the usual routine and Husband can help put around the house {getting ready for spring!} when he's not studying for his boards test in June.  

So the In-laws are coming to visit while Husband has a break so that they can see their son!  I'm thinking this weekend calls for a shopping trip with the Mom-in-law!  This also means a couple of nice meals out!  Maybe i should make Dad-in-law some cookies!

I hope you all have a great weekend!  I'm going to try and finish out my week of inspiration and finish it off with the answers to your questions.  So far there aren't many but their good ones!  So ask those questions!

100th Week!! - An image for Today - Thursday

Welcome back to my 100th Post Week!  Don't forget you ask your questions by midnight Friday!

Mother Nature...

Image by: Elaine Vallet

I love nature!  I think that one of the best places in the world to be is in a forest, in the morning, just after it has rained.  There is something magical about the way that the sun shines through the canopy in the early morning light and the mist of a recent rain.  It can cleanse the soul.

Husband and I love the great outdoors!  When we get to do something special for our anniversary we pack up the tent and the sleeping bags then head to a state park for a few days under the stars.  After visiting historical land marks and museums, camping is one of our favorite vacations!

How do you enjoy nature?

Here are a few more...

Image by: James Christianson

Image by: Mthree

Image by: David Jay

What inspires you from the great outdoors?

100th Week!! - An image for Today - Wednesday

Beauty...

Image by: Andrew Gibson

This image by Andrew Gibson in the Tarabuco, Bolivia village Market of a woman in traditional clothing is simply beautiful.

I thought, since I started off the week with my 100th post, (don't forget to ask your questions!) that I would give all of this week's posts a theme...

Inspiration

Every day for the rest of the week I will post something that inspires me.  Most of the time that will be a photographers work.  We'll see where this takes us!

Today I wanted to share with you portraits.  I love portraits of people and absolutely adore portraits of the elderly.  Their faces show the things that they have faced throughout their lives and I believe that it makes them beautiful.

The woman above may be aged and have many wrinkles by our standards, but she has lived.  I can only hope to age as gracefully, that my face may inspire others and be a work of art.

What do you see in her face?

I Can't Believe it - 100th Post!

I am so proud of myself for making it this far!  It is a huge accomplishment and I know that I could have never done it without all of you, my lovely readers.  Your comments and twitters mean a lot and keep me motivated to keep posting!  

In honor of this momentous occasion I would like to have a little fun and borrow and idea from a few other bloggers out there...

I would like to open the comments for all of you to ask me some questions, with a twist.

Here's what to do...

Leave me a comment and include these two bits of information...

1. Ask me any question(s) and I will answer all of them {within reason} honestly.

2. I would like to get to know you better too...leave one interesting things about yourself

3. You have until Friday March 6th to leave your question!

Know I know that there aren't a ton of you out there, but this would be a great opportunity for you to come out of the shadows and say hi!  

Hopefully I get a lot of questions!  I can't wait to read them!  And thank you for reading my ramblings!

 And I will leave you for today with a pretty picture.

{Image by Dave Beckerman}